person
Saul
First king of Israel, tormented by an evil spirit and soothed by the harp of the young David (1 Samuel 16). Rilke's three-part poem is David's song before him.
Reading notes
- New Poems: The Other Part §10 the king
Saul, first king of Israel, seized by a prophesying spirit even as he hunts David; Rilke shows the man who cannot feel himself sinking.
- New Poems §11 King,
King Saul of Israel, tormented in spirit and soothed by the harp of the young David (1 Samuel 16); the three songs are sung before him.